Mars Area School District is continuing to provide students with free meals while the district is closed to in-person learning through Jan. 4.

In September, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture released several national waivers in August.

These waivers allowed districts to serve all children in their communities free meals through Dec. 31, among other things.

Eligible recipients are anyone age 18 or younger living in a district home.

Several Butler County districts have been participating in the program, including Mars Area.

Mars Area is now asking families who wish students to receive free meals through Jan. 4 to sign up for food.

Aside from students, free meals will be offered to anyone living in a student's home under 18 years old.

To participate in meal distribution, district families are asked to contact food service director Bridget Buyna at 724-625-1988 or bbuyna@marsk12.org.

Meals can be picked-up at the middle school between 12:30 and 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Dec. 23.

The district is prepared to resume meal pickups Jan. 6, if necessary.

A call made to Buyna for additional information wasn't immediately returned Wednesday.